Bayonet (Sangin) for use with an 18th Century Indo-Persian Toradar matchlock musket.

The Toradar was used in the Mughal Empire, which encompassed much of present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Essentially a socket bayonet without a socket, the unique design accommodates the Toradar’s belled muzzle, which precludes use of a conventional socket bayonet. The bayonet is pinned to the stock through the small holes at the rear of the sidearms. The hinged muzzle ring encircles the barrel and is pinned in place. A wrapping around the sidearms and barrel completes securing of the bayonet.

The bayonet is short, owing to the very long Damascus-steel barrel typical of the Toradar. Many bayonets are ornately decorated, however, this example is plain and utilitarian, suggesting military use. The reinforced swell-point enables the bayonet to pierce chain-mail armor, which was still worn in the Mughal Empire during the mid-1700s. This example dates to that period, ca. 1750.

Although strange looking and seemingly of long-outdated technology, the Toradar impressed early British military expeditions to India, finding it's accuracy superior to the Brown Bess musket.

9.625

244

15.25

287

.900

22.9

None.

Pattern 1801 Baker Sword

Sword bayonet for the caliber .625 1801 Baker Rifle. The Baker rifle was the first rifled arm officially adopted by the British Army.

The blade markings identify the firm of Henry Osborn & John Gunby, who made Baker blades 1808–1838. The blade was hilted in India. This example’s hilt is closely patterned after the British-made Baker Sword.

This 2nd Type example has a D–shaped knuckle guard, where the 1st Type had a rectangular knuckle guard.

This early sword bayonet uses the hirschfanger mounting system, with a lateral mortise (on the side of the grip), a flat spring catch, and no muzzle ring.

Probably made 1845–1860 in India, it is of somewhat cruder construction than the British-made version.

This 2nd Type example lacks the D-shaped knuckle guard found on the 1st Type.

The socket length is 4.00 in. (102 mm.).

22.25

565

26.50

673

.915

23.2

None.

Indian Conversion Brown Bess Bayonet

Socket bayonet modified for use with .75 caliber Brown Bess flintlock muskets converted to percussion ignition in the 1850s.

This example was originally made ca. 1800 for use with the India Pattern Brown Bess musket. Following British adoption of the Pattern 1853 rifle-musket, many colonial flintlock arms were converted to percussion ignition. The original smoothbore barrels were left in place, so the existing bayonets were modified by brazing a locking ring collar and stop pin to the socket; and installing the locking ring. The socket length measures 4.00 in. (102 mm.). The muzzle length measures 2.00 in. (51 mm.).

The policy of continuing to equip Indian Army units with smoothbore arms long after their obsolescence arose in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (Sepoy Rebellion). The Rebellion also led to dissolution of the British East India Company. The Company was largely blamed for allowing issues in the Company's private army to fester and spiral out of control, resulting in a year-long conflict that left 100,000 Indians dead. The Crown swiftly retaliated by nationalizing the Company in 1858; seizing its powers, property, and private army.

This bayonet likely had a service life of nearly 100 years, during which polishing and repair obliterated any markings that once may have been present.

India used the British bayonet designation, Pattern 1907, from 1911 until 1926, when India re-designated it bayonet No. I Mk. I. India preferred the shorter P1903 bayonet, so delayed production of the Pattern 1907 bayonet until 1913, when the Crown forced its adoption for standardization purposes.

This example was made in October 1919 at Rifle Factory Ishapore.

RFI’s production was inefficient, with No. I Mk. III rifle production only totaling to approximately 30,000 from 1910-14. Outbreak of the First World War saw production increase. According to RFI, 36,037 No. I Mk. III rifles were produced during 1918-19. Production is not believed to have exceeded 10,000-14,000 rifles per year during the interwar period. However, expansion and modernization of RFI during the 1920s and 1930s enabled RFI to produce 750,000 rifles and bayonets during 1939-45.

Most of the early RFI bayonets had their blades shortened to 12-inches during the Second World War (like the example pictured below). Examples retaining their original blade length are uncommon. The original markings on this example appear untouched or added to, suggesting that this piece saw minimal rework during its very long service life.

The scabbard is of British manufacture. Both the locket and chape bear maker marks indicating manufacture by the firm, W. J. Hill Ltd. of Birmingham.

This example was shortened during 1939–1942 from a Pattern 1907 bayonet, which could have been of either British or Indian manufacture. The bayonet would have been blued or painted with stoving at time of conversion.

This example retains none of the original markings. The Indian Government crest indicates that factory repair occurred after 1950. "DP" marking indicates designation for 'drill purpose' (i.e., no longer for primary issue).

Until the British came along 2,000 years later, Ashoka the Great (273 BC–232 BC) was the last time the Indian subcontinent had been united under a single ruler. His symbol, four lions standing back to back, standing atop a lotus beneath the Wheel of Law, was adopted as the emblem of the Government of India in 1950. Only three lions are visible; the fourth is hidden from view.

11.75

298

16.25

422

.660

16.8

Ricasso: "RFI" and Indian Government "Ashoka The Great" Crest; and, "D.P. 63"

Unlike the bayonet above, this example is not a cut-down Pattern 1907, but was made with a 12-inch unfullered blade in 1944 in the workshops of the North West Railways.

The famous Bengal & North West Railways (NWR) was formed in the early 1880s and ran until taken over by the Indian Government in 1943. The NWR carried freight, passengers, and steamship mail from Delhi to the northern frontier of British India and beyond to Peshawar, Pakistan.

During the Second World War, many of the Railway's shops were converted to produce war materiel and this bayonet is an example of their handiwork. This example is in exceptional condition. Just immaculate.

This variant was the last, and crudest production type, with a square pommel, and rectangular grips. Unlike the beautiful bluing of the preceding example, these were simply painted black. Approximately 50 percent of the original stoving (paint) remains.

This example retains crisp original Second World War markings, indicating that it likely escaped factory repair.

12.00

305

16.75

425

.665

16.9

Ricasso: Crown over "G.R.I." (George Rex Imperator) over "Mk. III" over "5 45" over "R.F.I." and various proofmarks. Large "DP"

Crosspiece: "DP"

Pommel: "621"

1A

Knife bayonet for use on the 7.62 mm. NATO caliber 1A selective-fire rifle, a variant of the famous FN–FAL.

This bayonet is closely patterned after the British L1A4 bayonet, except that it has wooden grip scales. As with the L1A4, it has the recessed press stud, the simplified crosspiece, and the pommel is riveted to the tang. The 1A bayonet used the standard British No. 5 scabbard, as was used with the L1 series bayonets.

While the blade is still in good condition, the hilt exhibits very heavy wear. 1A bayonets with the standard length blade are scarce. This is the only example that I have ever encountered.

According to Graham Priest's book, Spirit of the Pike, Indian textile firms utilized a different species of cotton, which resulted in this rather coarse weave webbing. K.E.F. is believed to be a private firm, however, its identity is not known.